Market 28 in Cancun

While in Cancun, you are bombarded by souvenir shops, street vendors and even locals on the beach trying to sell you everything from T-shirts and cigars to silver jewelry. No doubt, you will want to bring back memorabilia from your trip to the beautiful place of Cancun, but where do you go when you want to purchase authentic items that will benefit both the locals and yourself? The answer is Market 28.

 Located in the Centro (or downtown) area of Cancun, Market (Mercado) 28 offers a mix of vendors with jewelry, clothing, food and decorations, as well as a taste for a traditional Mexican market.

To get to the Market 28 from the Hotel Zone, you will need to take the bus towards the Party Center (the bus will say Downtown/ Centro or Wal-Mart). If you ask the bus driver to drop you off there when you get on, they will usually take you to right out front and the bus costs only 8.5 pesos, which is about 75 cents USD.

There is an abundance of silver jewelry in Mexico and it is generally offered at a better price than in the states. There is also a lot of tradition associated with it. Silver jewelry gained popularity in the 1930s and has been an abundant export of Mexico's ever since.

From earrings to necklaces to rings with giant stones in them, those who seek fine hand-crafted silver jewelry will find it in the many shops of this market.

The stones, hallmarks (etchings in the surface) and symbols all mean different things, so be sure and ask the vendors what you are buying. They will be happy to tell you what means what. For example, a butterfly represents the souls of dead warriors.

The market is busiest on the weekends. If you visit on a Tuesday, like we did, you can expect a much quieter scene, making it easier to haggle with the locals or even catch one taking a siesta.

You can also get a good glimpse of the locals making some of the handcrafted items. Maybe you can ask to have one made personally for you or some one special back at home.

These hand painted Day of the Dead skulls are beautiful and make great candle holders with an authentic Mexican feel. You will see many wall decorations and shelves full of knick-knacks and decor, all handmade.

 These ivory pieces are stunning and represent the true Mayan spirit still thriving in the Quintana Roo state.

Hand embroidered clothing and bags are also a great thing to take back to the states with you. We loved the dresses and handbags that were so beautifully decorated and displayed.

The best part about Market 28 is that the prices are significantly less expensive than anything you may find in a hotel gift shop and you can support the locals who both sell and make these items. We recommend that anyone visiting the Cancun area pay a visit to this market and the downtown area to experience a true taste of Mexican spirit.

For more information on booking a trip to Cancun to see Market 28, please call 1-800- 648-4849 or visit www.ststravel.com.

Jungle and Snorkel Tour

In Cancun, there is lots to see and do. The nightlife is amazing and the many flea markets, restaurants and nightclubs can keep you distracted for hours, but also leave your head spinning. If you are looking to get away from that madness and see some of the geological treasures that this area offers, STS can hook you up with some really great side trips. One of our favorites is the Jungle and Snorkel Tour offered by the Sunrise Marina.

The Sunrise Marina is located in the Hotel Zone on the lagoon side, directly across from the JW Marriott and provides everything from jet skis to fishing trips with all the equipment you will need.

There is a great little restaurant you can snack at while waiting for your tour to begin. An open air view of the lagoon is the perfect back drop to a seafood lunch before a great time out on the reefs!

Your guide will explain the rules to you before you venture out into the beautiful Caribbean for some amazing sites. This guide, Alex, let us know we were in good hands and gave thorough directions before we left the dock.

Two people to a boat, we take off through the lagoon and around the side of the Cancun, with a great view of the hotels and an even better view of the crystal clear blue water.

The views are incredible, but there is much more to see.

You will pass a cool little beach restaurant while making your way to the Riviera Maya and you will likely see locals fishing in the water or swimming, many birds and other boats.

As you wind through the jungle, the narrow paths lead way to the Caribbean Sea, just on the other side of the strip. Your hotel is probably right on the beach, but to view the area from the open water is an experience all of its own.

After a 30 minute boat ride (you drive your own), we park out on the edge of the Puerto Morelos reef, the second largest coral reef in the world. Where the calm water meets the surf, the waves will let you know you are here and ready to explore the marine plant and animal life that dwells here. 

Dive right in!

Your guide will lead you through the water, where he will point out lobster, sea urchins, colorful fish and the most beautiful plant life under the sea.

After about 45 minutes of snorkeling, you will turn around and head back to the marina where you can purchase pictures that are taken for you (you do not want to bring your camera, but underwater ones are perfect!) We really recommend this trip if you are interested in seeing what lies beneath the clear blue water of the Caribbean that got you to Mexico in the first place. Enjoy!

For more information on how to book a trip to Cancun or Riviera Maya, please visit http://www.ststravel.com/ or call 1-800-648-4849

Coco Bongo

If you were to ask any one who knows anything about Cancun, they will tell you that you must go to Coco Bongo. There are many nightclubs in Cancun to enjoy hours of dancing, drinking and even live entertainment, but none compare to Coco Bongo, the club that sets itself apart from any other in the Cancun Party Center.

Coco Bongo offers the nightlife of other clubs, with a live show that is sure to impress even a Broadway buff. Performances impersonating Elvis, Beyonce, Lady GaGa, Michael Jackson, the Beetles and much more, insure that there is something for every one.

The light show is unreal. With amazing lasers of every color and confetti, balloons and fog machines filling the air, it is Mardi Gras every day in Coco Bongo.

Coco Bongo also offers more bang for your buck. With the live show, open bar is included and the drinks will flow freely as you enjoy the most amazing show you have ever seen.STS invites you to come dance, drink and watch the most amazing show of your life in the most amazing city in Mexico.

For more information on booking a trip to Cancun, please call 1-800-648-4849 or visit www.ststravel.com.

Senor Frogs and Late Night Cancun at the Party Center

Sunday night, STS hosted their party at Senor Frogs, a well-known bar located all throughout the Caribbean. The entertainment is unreal. For its size, Senor Frogs surely packs a punch. First, the drinks are HUGE. We liked the margaritas and mojitos.

When you book your VIP Party Package with STS, our parties include open bar at different places every night. This works to your advantage, especially in bars like Senor Frogs where drinks are huge and in abundance.

We love our students!

After a night of dancing on stage, sliding down the water slide into the lagoon and massive frozen drinks, spring breakers may find themselves upstairs at Senor Frogs, where Piercing Point awaits you. That's right, there is a piercing shop located right to the top of the stairs where piercer, Tomas Navarro strategically places needles in the body parts of spring breakers from all over. In addition, there are tattoos available, both temporary and permanent...

One of our travelers from Canada- He got his fiance's name on his back (in Henna ink, of course).

Piercer, Tomas Navarro

One of our travelers wanted a nipple ring, so this guy paid for it, while we video taped...

After that, we had enough and ventured out into the streets to get a real feel of the Cancun nightlife. Just outside of Senor Frogs, was this taco stand which sold hamburgers, hot dogs and the best tacos you have ever had.

Fresh guacamole and hot sauce and other things to load up your late night munchies!

Isn't it past his bed time? He shouldn't be out selling bracelets at 1 am!

STS Dress!

Cancun Spring Break 2011 has been phenomenal! Look for more posts to come this week of our wild and crazy adventures in the best party city in Mexico!

For more information on how to book your spring break trip with STS Travel, please visit http://www.ststravel.com/ or call 1-800-648-4849.

Booze Cruise!

STS's Booze Cruise is by far the most coveted of all Cancun Spring Break parties. Guests board the Caribbean Cabaret, a double decker boat, filled to the brim with all-you-can-drink beer or rum punches and then cruise for a half hour to the beautiful island of Isla Mujeres, the Island of Women.

Fernando, the official MC of this party, explains the rules, which include agreeing to whatever he asks of you, especially if you cannot understand him. "Remember, you are on vacation and nobody knows you, so what happens on board, stays on board!"

Once you have arrived on the tiny island, the booze continues to flow freely and an elaborate buffet is served of authentic Mexican cuisine, which includes beans and rice, salad and fajitas that are to die for.

mmmmmm

Reminds you of college, doesn't it?

After the late dinner, the drinking continues and every one flocks to the stage for some dancing and partying, STS-style.

Your bartenders have got your back

Bumping and Grinding!

After the dancing, Fernando herds every one to the sides of the stage for the wildest contests you have ever seen, guaranteed. Your standard Wet T-shirt contest has nothing on this loco fiesta.

Who wants to win prizes?

This guy!

Whipped Cream Tug-of-War

The crowd will decide who wins

Enjoy live entertainment in between contests

This guy really got it in the Paddle Contest

Clothing Exchange! (Must wear EVERYthing)

After Shock!

And then there was the wet T-shirt contest....

Our staff members loved this!

The dancing continues, both on and off the island and on the way back to Cancun! STS hosted the after party at Senor Frogs, which included open bar, huge margaritas, more dancing, piercings and late night tacos... But more on that later...


For more in Spring Break packages, please visit http://www.ststravel.com/ or call 1-800-648-4849.